The Bookbinder

Reviews

“The Bookbinder is a confident and considered sequel that complicates Williams’s literary universe while riffing on class, family, trauma and remembrance. Williams fully inhabits the world of the bindery and it shows—there’s hardly a page out of place.”—The Guardian

“[A] spellbinding sequel.”—The Australian Women’s Weekly
 
“A brilliant exploration of who has access to knowledge and the experience of women during wartime.”—Good Weekend

“Pip Williams spins an immersive and compelling tale, sweeping us back to the Oxford she painted so expertly in The Dictionary of Lost Words. . . . a fresh, exciting new voice in historical fiction.”—Paula McLain, author of The Paris Wife

“A compelling, beautifully written homage to the transformational power of books. By day, Peggy works in the bindery of Oxford University Press; at night, she devours the books she isn’t allowed to read. Desperate for education and independence, somehow she must weigh the demands of duty, convention and even love against her thirst for knowledge.”—Daisy Wood, author of The Forgotten Bookshop in Paris

“A poignant exploration of the power of books. With this mesmerizing tale of twins who live and work together during World War I, once again Pip Williams puts the spotlight on women’s contributions to literature. Masterful.”—Janet Skeslien Charles, author of The Paris Library

“This compelling story, beautifully told and full of vibrant characters, is a vivid and moving account of how the war brought not only horror and deprivation, but for some—especially women—new freedoms and opportunities which they were reluctant to give up once the fighting had ended. I absolutely loved it!”—Ruth Hogan, author of The Keeper of Lost Things

“What a charming, original and beautifully researched historical novel. It nails the problems facing female ambition in a man’s world a century ago in such a vivid way that it speaks to us still.”—Rachel Hore, author of A Beautiful Spy

“Williams brilliantly weaves a new thread into her world of words at Oxford University. . . . With heartfelt characters, [and] a bit of romance . . . Williams’s novel is a deft story about the meaning of words. . . . Highly recommended.”—Library Journal (starred review)

“Touching . . . The Bookbinder . . . is a rich account of class relations during a tumultuous era in history that also displays deep love and appreciation for literature and its wardens.”—BookPage

“Authentic period details and intriguing glimpses into the bookbinding process add to Williams’s portrayal of resilient women. This would make a riveting costume drama for the large or small screen.”—Publishers Weekly Expand reviews